K N V Sreedevi, S. Sarada
Global energy demand necessitates improved efficacy of heat transfer process. Nanofluid is an innovative heat transfer fluid created by dispersing nanoparticles in conventional heat transfer fluids, such as water or ethylene glycol, to enhance thermal conductivity. The corrugated pattern enhances the surface area that comes into contact with heat, allowing for more effective heat absorption. The significance is found in the enhanced effectiveness of heat transfer and absorption, along with a reduced pressure drop. A detailed comparative analysis on the variations in thermal performance of sinusoidal wavy corrugated plate heat exchangers at angles of 0°, 30°, 40°, and 50°, using MWCNT and CuO in water, has been conducted, addressing the literature gap where limited information exists. Flow rate of nanofluid was varied between 2 to 4 L/min and nanoparticle concentration from 0 to 0.09%. The impact of flowrate on convective heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, and thermal hydraulic performance was studied. Findings indicate that CuO nanofluids are preferable for applications characterized by low flow rate (less than 2 L/min) and conduction dominance, such as cooling compact electronics or utilizing low-capacity heat exchangers, where increased particle concentration is acceptable. Conversely, MWCNT nanofluids are more appropriate for heat exchangers used on an industrial scale and in turbulent flow conditions, as they provide enhanced efficiency at reduced concentrations, which helps lower pumping power requirements and pressure.